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The Devil's Grip: A true story of sheep, shame and shotguns Kindle Edition

by Neal Drinnan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 145 ratings
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Seven shots ring out in the silence of Victoria’s rolling Barrabool Hills. As the final recoil echoes through the paddocks, a revered sheep-breeding dynasty comes to a bloody and inglorious end.

No one could have anticipated the orgy of violence that wiped out three generations of the Wettenhall family, much less the lurid scandals about Darcy Wettenhall, the man behind the world famous Stanbury sheep stud, that would emerge from the aftermath.
 
Almost three decades later, the web of secrets and lies that led to this bizarre and seemingly motiveless murder spree are unravelled with the help of Bob Perry, Darcy Wettenhall’s secret lover for a decade prior to his murder.
 
From the bucolic majesty, privilege and snobbery of the Western District’s prized pastoral lands and dynasties to the bleak, loveless underworld of orphanages, rodeo stables and homeless shelters, The Devil’s Grip is a courageous and thought-provoking meditation on the fragility of reputation, the folly of deception and the power of shame.

Praise for The Devil’s Grip

‘A remarkable piece of work. It is a strange, unusual and beautiful book with an incredibly unique setting. I don't think I've read anything quite like it. It is compulsive reading. True crime. Memoir. History. How do you live a life honestly and with dignity? It's difficult to categorise because it traverses so many genres. But it WORKS.’  Matthew Condon, author of the Three Crooked Kings trilogy

‘On its face this is the story of a family steeped in the pursuit of the perfect ram, but beneath the surface lies a riveting and ribald tale of lust, loss, manipulation, unbridled ambition and ultimately murder.’  Mark Tedeschi AM QC and author of Eugenia, Kidnapped and Murder at Myall Creek
 
‘An unforgettable, courageous and deeply tragic local story which manages to become a universal tale’  Gregory Day, author of Archipelago of Souls and A Sand Archive
 
‘It’s got it all: sex, domestic violence, ‘the land’ – such an important concept resonating in the Australian mind – land-holders and property, privilege, prejudice, skulduggery and murder!’  David Bradford, author of The Gunners’ Doctor and Tell Me I’m Okay
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  1. Print length
    278 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster Australia
  5. Publication date
    August 19, 2019
  6. File size
    33675 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07SF6R71Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster Australia (August 19, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 19, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 33675 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 278 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 145 ratings

About the author

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Neal Drinnan

Neal Drinnan

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Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
145 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

There are 0 reviews and 8 ratings from the United States

Top reviews from other countries

Rev. Andy
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but not the crime story it pretends to be
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
This was presented as the story of a scandalous crime but although that is the incident that links everything it's a relatively minor part of the narrative. Instead it's a fairly loose collection of biographical stories about being a gay man in late 20th century Australia. It's still a good read (if a little rambling & disjointed at times) and I enjoyed it but it was definitely not what I was expecting.
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Geoff Barby
5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping commentary on underground lives
Reviewed in Australia on March 23, 2020
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Neal's friendship with one the books main characters and his own experiences combine to make this book a great read. Centered around a macabre event, the swirling world of gay life kept suppressed surfaced in a horrific way. The insight into another world is both sobering and challenging, urging us to accept what was only recently illegal. Such a great read and anyone from Geelong, you will know some of these characters. Excellent read Mr Drinnan.
One person found this helpful
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MICHAEL PALMER
3.0 out of 5 stars Strange sex
Reviewed in Australia on December 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
Too much on sexual side
One person found this helpful
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Tam Kruger
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating piece of modern Australian rural history
Reviewed in Australia on September 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
Fascinating account of tragic rural murders, but so much more. Neal gives depth to the people involved in the tragedy. Additionally though, he gives us insight into how historically gay men have survived in the conservative, rural Australian communities, yet also a glimpse of how gay men survey their urban landscapes - a wonderful, enlightening read. Well done Neal, and Bob!
2 people found this helpful
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Peter Lingley
2.0 out of 5 stars Very down to earth book
Reviewed in Australia on September 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
Very down to earth book about breeding Australian sheep , quite depressing how people can be so unkind to family and friends.
One person found this helpful
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